AfriGeneas Writers Forum

No this is not a "Discuss Forum" but rather the posting of writers critiquing the content and style of other writers. Jill Nelson is a journalist who comments on the African American experience...present day or past.

Her style of journalism, her viewpoint on our history is certainly worth discussing. I hope that other writers in this Afrigeneas Forum will benefit from reading her voice. Hopefully it will help others to shape their own personal writing style. She uses irony, sarcasm to make her point.

You wrote "Perhaps she meant that American Black cultural heritage is betrayed and obliterated by hip-hop and its promoters." Absolutely! Your observation gets to the heart of her commentary.

My posting of Ms. Nelson's commentary was deliberate. My goal was to provoke a discussion and analysis of her words on a topic that connects to the real-time of our history. Was hers the only voice of color to criticize this degrading and very troubling award?

A cursory search of the 2006 music oscar critique (lower case "o" deliberate) results in an overwhelming number of white journalists opinions. It's NOT that their viewpoint is any less important because of their color. Rather it shows that the top end of opinion holders are published in general market news outlets. (most search engines are heavily influenced by advertising)

There were respected African American internet sites that shared Nelson's views. Below is a link to Paul Butler's insightful commentary published on blackpro.com, "It's Hard Out There for a Cultural Critic."

Your comments support Butler's views. "...The fact that hip-hop is identified as Black culture most surely spotlights American segregation - with white people still claiming the intellectual high ground by being able to point down to the animalistic thugs whose so-called artistry is sold as authentic Blackness. With persons whose only value system is crass commercialism promoting and being enriched by this self-serving cultural segregation. The American entertainment industry is totally committed to preserving - no, to aggravating - the racial status quo."

Thanks for your insight. This forum needs more of your viewpoint, David.